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I've pulled something interesting out of my miscellaneous "junk" pile. It's a Clarion record (Columbia's early 30's bargain label) with two tracks per side- instrumental and vocal versions of the same selections. I don't have the means to post a sound file, but is this kind of record unusual by the 1930's?

I'm not familier with Clarion doing this or why but I've got a few Edison Diamond Discs like this, vocal and instrumental version of the same song on one side, about 2 ½ minutes per rendition. I believe this was done at least partly to demonstrate that Edison's records could play twice as long, in the mid 20's.

By early 30's might Clarion have offered a longer version of a lateral cut record?

bruce

The Diamond Disc records sound very interesting, but I forgot to mention that the Double Track means that this Clarion is a "Puzzle Plate" record- the needle will choose one track or the other. I can't imagine that would be possible on the Edison but it was a fairly common novelty on laterals, at least in the UK.

The DDs with two versions of a song simply have them in sequence, instrumental first, vocal second.

No-the Clarion was one of the later products from the Harmony,Diva, and Velvet tone budget records that Columbia made. The double length records were experimental in 1931, and I have only one example on Harmony with a 6000-H number, and three on Velvet tone with a 10000-V number. In Canada,in 1931, the Compo Company of Lachine, Quebec made double length Domino, Ace, and Sun. I also believe a double length Starr Gennett was made for the Quebec market.

I have one of these on Harmony, "Love Letters In The Sand" is on one side. Can't remember the other side, but it's a snooze. They do turn up from time to time, but not very often. I suspect they wore out rather quickly if they were played on period equipment, they grooves seem very narrow on the one I have.

Sean

There are two categories of these records on the Columbia budget labels: the "puzzle" records (710000 matrix series) and the ones that have a finer groove for a longer playing time (236000 matrix series*).

Both were short-lived. According to Columbia Master Recording Dates, the dual-track series lasted from 710000-710008 (July-September 1931) and the fine-groove series lasted 236000-236022 (September 1931-March 1932).

*There were also 250000 and 255000 series for 12-inch fine groove masters, but I doubt any of these were on the budget labels.

-HA